When Is The Best Time To Water Your Lawn

Ensure Your Lawn Is Getting Enough Water

Watering on a regular basis is essential to achieving a thick, healthy lawn. By working together with your lawn care company, youll have the knowledge and tools to properly water your lawn and give it the care it needs.

Our custom blended fertilizers can actually help your lawns root system to retain moisture better over time, by adding bionutritional materials that can help you get the most out of your watering efforts.

If you ever have any questions about the best time to water grass in Ohio or Northern Kentucky, the lawn technicians at Oasis Turf & Tree are always available to help. When we come to your home, were not just there to perform treatments. A healthy lawn is a team effort, and its our goal to continuously educate you on what you can do to achieve success.

At Oasis Turf & Tree, were here to answer any questions you have regarding watering your lawn via our contact page. For more helpful lawn care tips, or .

Signs That You Are Overwatering

Development of thatchA layer of decomposed plant material that builds up when overwatering prevents beneficial soil bacteria.

FungusThin or weak grass that has a reddish-orange color could be a sign of fungus from overwatering.

WeedsOverwatered lawns will develop weeds that are harder to control such as nutsedge and crabgrass.

InsectsToo much water creates a conducive habitat for pests. Damage from armyworms, cutworms or other insects could be the result of overwatering.

On the other hand, if your lawn is being underwatered, it can experience drought damage, weeds and other symptoms.

How To Uniformly Apply Water

Irrigation system installers are licensed in some Florida counties, while in other counties there is no regulation of installation at all. This may lead to inefficient or sloppy installation, resulting in water waste and non-uniform coverage of turf areas. Even with a professionally installed system, it is important to check coverage regularly because heads may become clogged, damaged, or off-center, and leaks in the line may occur. An easy way to check the uniformity of your irrigation system is to place small, straight-sided cans in a straight line from your sprinkler to the edge of the watering pattern. Run the system for 15 minutes and check to see if you have about equal amounts of water in each can. If an area is not receiving water from one or more heads, or if a head is not providing complete coverage, dry spots can develop. This can lead to any of the problems associated with drought-stressed turf. While checking uniformity with the catch can method, you can also easily determine how long it takes your system to apply ½ to ¾ inch of water. Measure the amount of water in the cans after running the system for 15 minutes. If, after 15 minutes, you have ¼” of water, it would take 30 to 45 minutes to apply the correct amount of water through your irrigation system.

While checking for damaged sprinkler heads, replace any that are leaking or not providing uniform coverage. Also, check to ensure that valves open and close properly.

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Misconception #: I Dont Have To Water My Lawn

One of the most common misconceptions we hear about our customers lawns is the misbelief that there is no reason to water it on your own. A lot of people think that rain will naturally provide a lawn with what it needs. But what about a dry spell? While your lawn can survive a couple weeks of drought, it will eventually thin the turf and create an ideal environment for weeds to invade. If you want a healthy lawn, you will definitely need to water it from time to time.

Watering The Wrong Amount

While overwatering is a common mistake, it happens to be one of the most detrimental. Unless watering newly planted grass seed, dont water every day.

Frequent, shallow watering wastes water and money. It also leads to a number of lawn problems, including diseases, insect infestations and damage from heat and cold. On the other hand, watering longer but less frequently, deep watering, produces deep roots that mean lawns can better survive periods of drought. The ideal watering schedule is once or twice per week, for about 25 to 30 minutes each time.

Taking care of a lawn doesnt have to be an overwhelming, all-consuming task. Once all the tips and tricks are in your back pocket, it will be easy to come up with a routine that results in a gorgeous green lawn.

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How Much Water Does Grass Need

The question of how much water your lawn needs, again, relies on a similar set of variables as the last question. Other important factors to consider include:

Is your lawn subject to shade, intense sun, or a combination of both? Is your lawn flat, sloped or a combination of both? Is your lawn well drained? Are you subject to windy conditions?

Your lawn might have different needs in different areas based on these factors, especially sun exposure, drainage and other plants or foliage.

On average, most lawns require about an inch or two of water per week. This is one reason why its important to plan around rainfall to ensure your lawn gets enough water. For most of the year, months when the lawn needs the most watering tend to correlate to the months with more rainfall. Sometimes, rainfall might be sufficient enough to give your lawn enough water, but in general, the summer months are where the rain starts to fall short of your lawns needs.

Will Watering Dead Grass Bring It Back

Watering dead grass will not bring it back watering dormant grass will bring it back. How can you tell the difference between dead and dormant? Take a small handful of brown grass and tug it gently. If it comes away easily in your hand, the roots have died and if it’s dead. If it offers resistance, it’s likely dormant and can be brought back to life with better weather and a good watering routine. Grass often becomes dormant in poor conditions to protect itself.

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Ignoring Your Grass Needs

Taking a lawns age into consideration is important. A fully-grown lawn can handle a more powerful spray, whereas newly seeded lawns need a gentler touch. If you only have a small area of newly planted seeds, a Stationary Square Sprinkler works well for gentle spot-watering, while an Adjustable Length Wind-Resistant Rectangular Sprinkler can cover a bigger area.

For a sprinkler that will grow along with the grass, try the Circular Sprinkler Spike with on/off switch. The diffuser pin allows for a customized force of spray, from a steady shower for new grass to a more powerful stream for mature lawns.

Best Time To Water The Lawn

Every homeowner wishes for a lush green and soft lawn, but it cannot be achieved without properly taking care of the grass. Watering the grass at the right time and with the right amount is one of the most essential factors contributing to your lawn health. Lets take a look at when you should water your lawn and the correct method of doing so.

The best time to water your lawn is in the morning between 4-6 am. This is due to the cooler temperatures which slows down the rapid evaporation caused by the strong afternoon sun. This will also make the lawn dry out before nightfall as wet lawns during night-time can result in moss, fungus, and weed growth.

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Saving An Underwatered Lawn

The good news is that a dormant cool-season lawn will regrow after water stress. On the other hand, a dead lawn wont. Thats one reason why its important to know what kind of turfgrass your lawn is composed of.

If your lawn regularly shows signs of water stress, a few simple changes can help it spring back. Those include:

• Consistent, even irrigation that reaches the roots
• Regular fertilization
• A good mowing schedule that keeps turfgrass tall enough to shade its roots

How Much Water Is Too Much Water

Itâs a question that even the most experienced gardeners may sometimes ask. Overwatering is as common as the common cold. You must remember that unless youâre watering newly planted seeds, thereâs no need for regular watering.

Frequent and shallow watering wastes a lot of water and time. It could even result in lawn issues, such as diseases, pest infestation, damage, and much more.

On the other hand, deep watering, which means watering for long but less frequently, could produce deep and healthy roots that could survive periods of drought and dryness.

The ideal watering schedule for a lawn is twenty to thirty minutes thrice a week.

But dont go below the twenty-minute mark as that may cause underwatering and result in damage to your lawn. There has to be a balance, and a thin line exists between underwatering and overwatering.

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Sprinkler Choice And Usage

When it comes to using a sprinkler, make sure you have them placed at the right spots in your lawn, as well as the correct sprinkler type. Placing a sprinkler on the edge of a lawn results in a lot of wasted water, so be sure to put them as central as possible.

You can place a sprinkler timer on a central part of your lawn and water for a prescribed amount of time each watering session. This will allow you to focus on other tasks while respecting how much water is going where instead of you having to manually check up on the sprinklers every time.

As for what type of sprinkler you should use, a pulsating sprinkler is better than an oscillating one. Pulsating sprinklers water the yard by blasting the water out at a high speed horizontally over the lawn. This way the water is less likely to be affected by the wind direction or speed, and is less likely to evaporate before it can soak in.

An oscillating sprinkler on the other hand, while it is more fun for your kids to run through and jump over, allows the water to be carried by the wind too easily, so parts of your lawn might get overwatered while some get under-watered. The water can also evaporate before landing on the grass.

What Time Of Day To Water Grass

Timing is important when youre watering grass in order for your efforts to have maximum effect, and to conserve a precious resource.

During the summer I generally recommend watering in the early morning, or in the evening as a second-best option, says Donnie Shelton.If you water your lawn during the middle of the day, especially in the summer, the sun will end up evaporating between 25 and 40 per cent of the water, which means your lawn will most likely be underwatered. By watering when the sun isnt as intense it ensures most of the water has time to seep down into the roots of the lawn.

If you have to water in the evening, dont leave it too late, so it has a chance to dry out. Overnight leaf wetness can benefit fungal pathogens, says turfgrass and horticulture science specialist Eric De Boer PhD of Simple Lawn Solutions .

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Water Guzzlers Or Pulsating Sprinklers

Pulsating sprinklers shoot a powerful stream of water horizontally at a very high speed, allowing them to cover a large lawn easily without being affected by the wind. With such sprinklers, grassroots get the moisture they require quickly.

However, they arent the most suitable option for sodded or newly seeded lawns, especially because of their high intensity.

Thats A Lot Of Information

No doubt! Theres so much more that goes into the everyday task of watering the grass on your lawn than you likely ever imagined. Its truly a rabbit hole conversation piece within the industry.

But, rest assured, when you work with Commercial Lawn Irrigation, youre relinquishing every stressful thought as it pertains to your watering schedule. Well set the optimal sprinkler heads, watering times, zone strategy, conduct soil analysis, and even install a rain detector for every automatic sprinkler system we install.

Our end goal is that every single one of our customers simply has to sit back, relax, and watch their lawn grow.

If youre one of the many who are stuck in the rut of programming their own sprinklers, or even watering your yard completely by hand, consider giving us a call! Weve spent over 25 years in the industry perfecting the art of growing beautiful lawns in the Midwest.

Plus, when we install your sprinkler system, we also cover the first years worth of start-up and winterization duties.

Fill out a contact form or give us a call at 667-6217 to schedule your free estimate!

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Signs Of An Overwatered Lawn

Adding too much water to your lawn prevents the grass from accessing the other elements it needs to survive. It also keeps the grass from growing deeper roots because water is so available higher in the ground. Look for these signs to determine if you’re watering too much:

• Mini streams of water running off your lawn
• A lawn that squishes when you step on it
• Thatch or weeds crowding out the grass
• Discoloration from fungus

How Often Should You Water Newly Planted Grass Seed

If you are unsure about the watering procedure, youll need to set a routine for your seeds. As we discussed, a growing seed is like a baby. So, its better to take some time out to take care of the seedling daily.

Some people water their seeds around three to five times a day. Others may water it once and then let the seeds go without water for long periods. Since there is no consistent schedule, this erratic watering may dry or drown out the seeds.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand how the growth of grass works and go about it accordingly. Your grass needs a moderate amount of watering daily. However, if you are afraid that you may be unable to water it daily, set a reminder on your wall or somewhere you will see it every day. Alternatively, you can set a timer or alarm on your phone thatll remind you daily.

If you dont have the time to water your seeds twice a day, you can do a deep watering every two days, but you have to be careful of using too much or too little water. Depending on your lawns size, this process should only take a few minutes to around an hour if youre doing it manually.

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When Is The Best Time To Water Grass In Hot Weather

last updated on By William Aguinaldo

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Having a lawn brings with it a good amount of responsibility. If not taken care of properly, your house could have a bad and messy outlook. Especially in summer, it is essential to have proper watering during hot days.

In this article, we will provide some tried and experimented lawn watering tips that might come in handy.

Many factors contribute to the proper growth of grass. Among them water is one of the most significant ones. However, it is one of the challenging ones too.

During hot weather, it is crucial to maintain a balance between âtoo muchâ and âtoo lessâ.

Finding this balance is a tricky business and since this balance differs from weather to weather, it simply adds more to the plate.

This article will solely focus on the proper watering of grass during the hot weather. In such times, extra watering is required when the grass is comparatively drier, and the soil tends to absorb more water than usual.

Practically, the best time to water grass in hot weather is when the temperature is low. This is normally in the early morning, when the sun has started to rise. At such times, you can see dew drops on the grass blades.

Is 4pm A Good Time To Water The Lawn

Between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. is the best time to water. If youre watering your grass too early, you may be watering too much. Too much water can dry out the soil, making it more susceptible to erosion. Watering too late in the day can also lead to excessive watering, which can cause the lawn to become over-watered.

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How Should I Avoid Using Too Much Water

If youre in a drought, try to keep traffic from kids, pets, and vehicles off the lawn to minimize damage. Turfgrass may turn brown and look like its dead, but the crown and roots still are alive. Many times, it goes semi-dormant but usually recovers, says Landschoot. In fact, grass can survive for weeks without thinning if its watered or starts raining again. If you have other questions about your lawn or the type of grass in your region, your local university coop extension is a good place to start.

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How Long To Water Grass

A lot of homeowners are under the impression that you need to water the grass for 15 minutes every single day. Wrong. When watering an established lawn, it’s normally recommended that you water until the top 6 to 8 inches of soil is wet. Most lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per weekeither from rain or wateringto soak the soil that deeply. You can either apply that amount of water during a single watering or divided into two waterings during the week.

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